Supercharge Your Brain with Two Powerful Nutrients

The CDC recently reported a 55% increase in deaths due to memory-loss related diseases in the last 15 yearsi. A statistic like this can be frightening, especially if you've ever witnessed a loved one suffer from memory loss or mental decline.

The good news is that news like this only tells half the story. The other side of the story offers hope. It is the story of researchers and scientists who continue to uncover natural ways to support the health of the brain, especially for memory, recall and mood.

These researchers aren't focused on finding a cure. Instead, they focus on prevention. They've found people whose diets feature a regular consumption of curcumin or Omega-3 fatty acids consistently have stronger memory and recall late into their lives. While curcumin can be found most in curries, fish provides one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Of course, not everyone likes fish. Nor does everyone like curry. Plus, each of these has some drawbacks with consideration to pollutants like mercury in fish or frankly the amount of curry you need to eat to enjoy the health benefits researchers report. The good news is none of this matters any more.

A new supplement called Optimized Curcumin with Omega 3 unites the benefits of each brain-supporting nutrient while it eliminates the drawbacks. Before we look at this simple, natural way to support memory and mood, let's take a brief look at what scientists say is a big contributor to mental decline.

Inflammation

Scientists report inflammation and inflammatory proteins disrupt memory. Research by University of California - Irvine neuroscientists shows molecules called cytokines that cause inflammation interfere with communication between neurons in the area of the brain responsible for memory.ii

Dr. John Guzowski, one of the UC Irvine researchers, commented, "Our research provides the first link among immune system activation, altered neural circuit function and impaired discrimination memory...The implications may be beneficial for those who have chronic diseases."iii

Inflammation is an essential component of immune response and especially wound healing. However, once the wound heals, the inflammation is supposed to stop. In recent years researchers have identified diseases linked to chronic inflammation. This has led to further study on possible connections between chronic inflammation and other diseases.

Research has also identified many causes beyond disease that increase inflammation. Some include foods like sugar, trans fats and refined carbohydrates.iv Stress also disrupts the human body's ability to manage inflammation.v Numerous other causes from alcohol to smoking and more have been reported as well.

Regardless of the cause of inflammation, the UC - Irvine research shows inflammation interferes with memory. Anyone who has had experience with someone suffering from memory loss also know it affects their mood as well.

Is Curcumin the Most Powerful Natural Anti-inflammatory?

Curcumin comes from turmeric, a main ingredient in curries. It also has a long history as an Ayurvedic spice used to aid digestion, improve circulation, encourage wound healing as well as a therapy for many other conditions. Its role as an anti-inflammatory caught the attention of researchers years ago.

Today, it's widely acknowledged that free curcumin, or the curcumin that enters the blood stream, reduces inflammation.vi The connection between inflammation and brain health in recent years has prompted scientists to take a closer look.

For example, a review published in the American Journal of Epidemiology noted elderly people for whom curry was a regular part of their diet perform better on cognitive tests than elderly people who didn't regularly eat curry.vii Researchers have also observed in animal trials that curcumin protects brain cells from damage commonly observed in patients with memory loss.viii

A review of recent research reported curcumin reduces inflammation in the brain.ix The study did note one important factor. Much of the success noted in animal tests hasn't translated into success in human trials due to the human body's inability to absorb most of the curcumin consumed.

Longvida® Curcumin Improves Absorption

The human body only absorbs about 5% of the curcumin consumed. That means for a 400 mg supplement, you'd only get about 20 mg. Optimized Curcumin with Omega-3 resolves this problem by using a unique form known as Curcumin SLCP, or Longvida® Curcumin.

SLCP stands for solid lipid curcumin particle. It increases the amount of curcumin absorbed to 65%. Compared to standard curcumin, the SLCP curcumin floods the body with free curcumin.

A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food reported this form of curcumin outperformed standard curcumin in lab tests. The Longvida® Curcumin decreased levels of inflammatory markers including nitric oxide, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin- E2.x

North Texas researchers confirmed in a clinical trial that this higher amount of bioavailable curcumin does reduce inflammation and inflammatory markers. They observed significant decreases in inflammatory molecules TNF-alpha and Interleukin-8 in human subjects with high levels of exercise-induced muscle inflammation.xi

Better Absorption Supports Memory and Brain Health, According to Research

The success of Longvida® Curcumin to reduce inflammation has prompted researchers to investigate its potential to support and protect memory and brain health.

Not long ago, researchers tested Longvida® with seniors. Their research, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2015, reported Longvida® supported memory and mood. The placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 60 elderly individuals reported those who took curcumin:xii

Performed better on memory tests

Showed an improved and sustained working memory as compared to the placebo group

Experienced less fatigue

Maintained a better overall mood

The results of this study show promise for seniors, and really anyone who seeks to protect their memory and the overall health of their brain. This begs the question: Was it the Longvida® Curcumin or simply curcumin that produced these effects?

A new Central Michigan University study released in the April 2017 International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease appears to answer this question. The researchers used 80% free curcumin and Longvida's® SLCP curcumin. They tested each curcumin on amyloid beta and p-Tau proteins, both common factors in conditions and diseases that lead to memory loss.

The Longvida® showed greater cell permeability. The researchers also noted it bound to the amyloid beta proteins and prevented them from harming the brain cells. It also reduced the exposure to p-Tau proteins.xiii

This led to fewer of the Longvida® treated cells to die.

The study also reported maximum permeability of the Longvida® was reached within the first hour, but it stabilized and remained sustained for 24 hours. This result matches the findings of the 2015 human trial.

Based on these results, researchers commented, "we speculate that more [free] curcumin was delivered by [Longvida®] SLCP™ than by [unformulated free curcumin]."xiv

In their concluding remarks, the researchers summarized their research saying, "because of its greater permeability or stability, [Longvida®] conferred more neuroprotection than [unformulated curcumin]."

Omega-3 Included for Maximum Support

Did your grandmother ever say, "Eat your fish, it will make you smart"? Well she might have been on to something. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish do support a healthy brain. And I'm not just saying that because your grandmother told me to; it's backed up by science.

A small double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared memory and recall in older healthy men and women ages 50-75. The group that received the omega-3 fatty acids showed better recall of object locations in a memory performance test. These results fit with a study of patients suffering memory loss that found adding omega-3 fatty acids slowed the speed of decline.

Scientists have identified two ways omega-3 supports the brain.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation.

A comprehensive review of omega-3 fatty acid research noted numerous studies that show decreases in inflammation in the presence of these fatty acids. The precise mechanisms of how they do it continues to be researched.

Omega-3 fatty acids increase blood flow to the brain.

An article published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reports patients who have high levels of omega-3 had greater blood flow to areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning and mood. Lead author of the study Daniel G. Amen, MD, of the Amen Clinics Inc., Costa Mesa, CA, said:

"This is very important research because it shows a correlation between lower omega-3 fatty acid levels and reduced brain blood flow to regions important for learning, memory, depression and dementia."

Optimized Curcumin with Omega-3 Features the Freshest Omega-3 From Sustainable Sources

Purity and freshness are vital to omega-3 fatty acids used in supplements. Purity prevents ingestion of toxins like mercury. Freshness means more of the beneficial nutrients.

The omega-3 fatty acids in Optimized Curcumin with Omega-3 exceed the standard set for the industry as established by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). The standard requires all omega-3 oils rate at 26 TOTOX, or total oxidation or better. The omega 3 in the supplement rates at an industry best 5.

Plus, they come from sustainably caught wild pollock. This ensures it is eco-friendly.

Who Benefits from Optimized Curcumin with Omega-3?

As the curry study noted, people who eat curry regularly have better memory and recall as they age. And as the research shows, while omega-3 fatty acids may slow mental decline, they do not stop it. Brain support does not appear to be something that one starts when it becomes apparent it's necessary. By that point it's too late.

The best way to protect the brain starts when it may not seem like it's needed. So who would benefit? Perhaps the best answer is: anyone whose diet does not regularly consist of fish or curry. More simply, anyone who wants to take preventative steps to protect their brain now and for years to come.

*Copywriter Peter Rufa writes for a wide range of clients but specializes in health. He has written for doctors, supplement providers, healthcare, medical, and fitness organizations and businesses throughout the United States.